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1. Who is U.N. Owen? What do we learn about him in the novel’s
opening pages?
U.N. Owen is the new owner of indian island and has invited some of these guests to indian island.
2. Where does the story take place? Describe the primary setting of
And Then There Were None with as much detail as possible.
The story takes place in the 1940's on indian island off the coast of Devon with a very mysterious mood. The Island is called Indian Island because from above its looks like the head of an Indian, and on the island is a first class modern mansion built recently by a young millionaire.
3. How and why is Indian Island so important to the narrative (Story)?
Indian Island is important to the narrative because it is where all the important events are happening and where the story will unravel.
4. Identify the ten guests who have been invited to Indian Island, giving
their names and backgrounds.
•Mr. Justice Wargrave
-judge
-hanging judge
-retired
•Vera Claythorne
-secretary
-dosen't like ocean
-some incident happened in the past
•Captain Philip Lombard
-soildier of fortune
-brought gun
-working for a "client"
•Emily Brent
-strict
-religious
-old
•General Macarthur
-been in great war
-army person
•Dr. Armstrong
-physician
-diagnoses deaths
•Anthony Marston
-young handsome man
•Mr. Blore
-ex C.I.D
-detective
•Mr. Rogers
-butler
•Mrs. Rogers
-pale
-maid
-cook
5. Did any of these individuals – when you first encountered them in
the introductory Cast of Characters, or in the following pages –
strike you as especially sinister? (If so, which one and why?)
Threatening?
Mr. Blore - has list of names and seems most suspicious.
Philip Lombard -working for a client so you don't know what he might do .
Harmless?
Emily Brent- strict but harmless because she seemed so religious.
Anthony Marston- why would he waste his time? more of a type of have fun person than maniacal killer.
6. Describe the poem Vera Claythorne finds on display above the
mantel in her bedroom (in ch 2). What kind of poem is it?
It's a nursery rhyme and it talks about 10 little indians dying off one by one until there were none.
7. How are the poem’s meaning and imagery changed by its context in
this novel?
It kinda of gives it a more deathly feeling than a nursery rhyme by being in this mystery/murder story.
8. How does the poem relate to the centerpiece of small china figures
that first appears in the subsequent dinner scene (in Ch.3)?
The story talks about 10 little indians and there were 10 little indian figures as the centrepiece.
9. How does this poem relate to the larger plot or structure of the
novel? (You may need to come back to this question after reading the rest of the novel.)
I would guess that the 10 little indian rhyme is what would happen to them, they would just die off one by one just like how the indians died.
10. In chapter 3, the ten guests are gathered for their after-dinner
coffee when suddenly an “inhuman, penetrating” voice begins to
speak to them, one which has been prerecorded on a phonograph
record.
What exactly does “The Voice” accuse each guest of doing? Be specific.
Edward George Armstrong- Caused death of Louisa Mary Clees.
Emily Caroline Brent- Caused death of Beatrice Taylor.
William Henry Blore- Caused death on James Stephen Landor.
Vera Elizabeth Claythorne- caused death of Cyrial Oglive Hamilton
Philip Lombard- Caused death of 21 members of an East African tribe.
John Gordon Macarthur- Caused death of Arthur Richmond.
Anothony James Marston- Caused death of John and Lucy Combes.
Thomas Rogers and Ethel Rogers- Caused death of Jennifer Brady.
Lawrence John Wargrave- Caused death of Edward Seton.
CHAPTERS 4 & 5
11. Who dies at the end of chapter 4?
Anthony Marston dies at the end of chapter 4.
12. Look at the victim’s last words, and then explain the irony or black
comedy of this particular murder, given these final comments.
Anthony says:"The legal life's narrowing! I'm all for crime!Here's to it."
Meaning he is tired of the legal a boring life and thinks that crime would be exciting and thrilling, but ends up dying off possibly murder which is ironic because that is a crime.
13. In part 5 of chapter 5, we learn the following about General
Macarthur: “He knew, suddenly, that he didn’t want to leave this
island.”
Why do you think he knows this? Provide as many reasons as you
can.
He knows this because he already told the others that it was just a military thing and he was not the murderer. The other's seemed to believe him and this got rid of the feeling of people talking behind his back like of that on the main land.On the island every other person is accused of murder too so he might feel like he fits in and not guilty. If he ever gone back to the mainland the people would not know of his past and he would always have that guilty feeling so he would rather stay on an island being isolated from the rest of the world.
What is the general going through? Describe his state of mind –
what it is, and what it might be.
The general is going through being accused of his past actions, but at the same time he is relieved of the guilt and burden because everyone on the island is also accused of something. He probably feels much more at home and free on this island than he ever did before.
CHAPTER 6 & 7
14. How does Mrs. Rogers meet her demise in chapter 6?
She apparently overslept, but no one is currently sure of the cause of her death.
15. Why does Mr. Blore immediately suspect that Mrs. Rogers was killed by her husband, the butler? Explain Mr.
Blore’s accusation, pointing out its strengths and shortcomings.
Mr. Blore thinks that Mrs. Roger's was breaking down and that Mr. Roger's thought that she might spill the beans so he killed her.
It makes perfect sense if they were accomplices, but Mrs. rogers is Mr. roger's wife no just partner in crime.
16. In part 3 of chapter 7, Mr. Lombard and Dr. Armstrong discuss the
two deaths that have occurred thus far.
Why do they conclude that both deaths must have been acts of
murder?
They concluded that both deaths must have been an act of murder because it is impossible to believe in the death of Anthony Marston and the cause of his death which is potassium cyanide. Potassium cyanide isn't an everyday item that people carry around and the poem and the little china figures all fit in with the current events.
How does this conclusion relate to the absence of Mr. Owen?
This would make everyone think that Mr.Owen is the murder and has planned everything from their arrival and the motor boat not arriving that morning.
Why do Mr. Lombard and Dr. Armstrong then agree to enlist Mr.
Blore in their search mission?
They recruited Mr.blore because they think he can act in a pinch and since he was an ex-detective.
What and where do they plan to search?
They plan to search the whole island for Mr. Owen and since the island is really small.
CHAPTER 8 & 9
17. Reread the last sentence of chapter 8. Identify the possible as well
as the inevitable implications of this last sentence – for the plot of
this novel and the fate of its characters. "There was no one on the island but their eight selves."
It basically implies that the murderer is one of their eight selves.
18. What sort of threshold has been crossed, and how is the story
different from this point on?
At this point in the story they realize the killer is one of themselves, so now they'll all be on their guard and be slinging accusations at each other.
19. After the murdered body of General Macarthur is discovered, the
seven remaining characters participate in an informal yet serious
court session to “establish the facts” of what has transpired since
their arrival at Indian Island.
Who is the leader of this parlor-room inquest? Does this
appointment seem fitting? Why or why not?
The leader of the parlor-room inquest is Justice Wargrave and the appointment seem most fitting, because this way he can use facts to eliminate and find suspects instead of blind accusations.
How do the other six characters react to this leader’s questions and
conclusions?
Some of the character try to bend their answers somewhat to avoid suspicion, but in the end Justice Wargrave's logical fact gathering and well pieced conclusions was agreed upon by everyone.
How do they react to one another’s accusations?
The characters react to one another's accusations by either defending themselves with alibis or slinging accusation back at each other.
20. In your view, who seemed most likely to be guilty at this point in the
narrative, and who seemed most likely to be innocent?
I personally think the most likely guilty person is Emily Brent as she was in the room alone with Mrs. Rogers and could have put the cyanide in Anthony's drink at the same time because no one is in the room. Also she is always quiet and stays away from the group during the day of Mcarthur's death so she could have easily done it. When the 3 people died, she always has something to say about them deserving it, for Anthony she said its god's will, for Mrs. Roger's she said its because she broke down from guilt and for Mcaruther she thinks he is just gone crazy.
The most innocent so far I think is Vera because she just seems so frightened the whole time and seems all surprised when she found out about Emily Brent and Mcaurther’s past.
CHAPTER 10 & 11
21. In part 4 of chapter 10 we encounter Miss Emily Brent at work on her
diary. She seems to be nodding off while sitting at the window and writing
in her notebook. “The pencil straggled drunkenly in her fingers,” we read.
“In shaking loose capitals she wrote: THE MURDERER’S NAME IS
BEATRICE TAYLOR... Her eyes closed. Suddenly, with a start, she
awoke.”
What do you make of this passage? What does it mean? Why would Miss
Brent jot down such a statement? Think about what you have learned
about Miss Brent’s background, mentality, spiritual outlook, and idea of
right and wrong when answering these questions.
I think she is starting to cave in a little. It means the past is haunting her now and her conscience s starting to affects her.
She wrote this down because she is finally realizing she might be held guilty for her act of murder, even though she keeps telling herself that she did not do it. She believes God will not punish the innocent , but now she is thinking: is she really innocent?
22. As chapter 11 begins, what is different about the arrangement
of the china figure Indians in the dining room? How many are now
in the table’s centerpiece – and what does this number tell you?
There were only six, which meant that Mr. Rogers must be dead by now.
23. How has Mr. Rogers been killed?
Mr. Rogers was struck in the back of the head with a big chopper.
24. At the end of this chapter, everyone is having a hearty breakfast,
being “very polite” as they address one another, and “behaving
normally” in all other ways.
Does this make sense to you? Explain why or why not. What
else is going on?
Yes it does make sense, because another person died and they are trying to keep their sanity by acting normal, but at the same time the thoughts going through their head are not normal at all.
25. Read the conclusion of chapter 11 and then comment on the
thoughts and fears these characters are experiencing.
Some are thinking who is next to die, some thinking they are going crazy while other's are still trying to figure out who might be the murder.
Alot of the people at this time are seeming losing hope and think they are going to die or this is just a crazy dream they have to wake from.
One particular person, possibly the murder was thinking "the damned fool, he believed every word I said to him.It was easy.... I must be careful though, Very careful."
So i know that the murder was talking and lying to an another "man" and that most others are just worried about who's next and suspecting each other or puzzled by other mysterious happenings such as the curtains and wool disappearing.
CHAPTER 12 & 13
26. How is Miss Brent murdered, and why is Dr. Armstrong
immediately suspected of committing this crime?
Miss Brent was injected cyanide with a hypodermic syringe, and Dr. Armstrong is immediately suspected because he is the doctor and he even said he brought one.
27. What telltale item in the doctor’s possession turns up missing?
The hypodermic syringe did not show up in the doctors possessions.
28. What item originally in Mr. Lombard’s possession also
disappears?
The revolver disappeared from Mr. Lombard's possession and no one had it with them either.
29. Five people are still alive as chapter 13 begins. In the second
paragraph, we read: “And all of them, suddenly, looked less like
human beings. They were reverting to more bestial types.”
Explain this behavior, and provide several example of it by
referring to the text of the novel.
They are like this because they are frightened of dying any moment and are trying to survive desperately, so some more animal like survival traits are kicking in.
Such as:
Like an old tortoise Mr.Justice wargrave sat hunched up, his body motionlass, his eyes were keen and alert.
Ex-inspector Blore looked coarser and clumsier in the build. His walk was that of a slow, padding animal. His eye were bloodshot. There was a look of mingled stupidity and ferocity about pursuers. He was like a beast at bay ready to charge his pursuers.
Philip Lombard's senses seemed heightened, rather than diminished. h=His step was lighter and quicker, his body was sound. His step was lighter and quicker, his lips curling back from his long, white teeth.
ECT..
30. Is this similar to how you yourself would behave if placed in this
horrific situation? Explain why or why not.
Yes i probably would, as it just seems like instnct kicks in and you would just be forced to act this way under the fear and pressure.
31. Earlier in the narrative, both a ball of gray wool and a red
shower curtain suddenly go missing. How and where do these
items reappear?
The scarlet robe was warped around the Wargrave's dead body symbolizing what he wears in court and the wool represents the wig he wears in court.
32. At the end of chapter 13, Mr. Lombard exclaims, “How Edward
Seton would laugh if he were here! God, how he’d laugh!”
Identify the implied, potential, and literal meanings of this
“outburst [that] shocked and startled the others.”
It could have potentially been Mr.Lombard mocking Wargrave's death and saying that Seton would have loved to see him in his death state.
CHAPTER 14- END
33. The narrative of And Then There Were None seems to become
more detailed – and carefully descriptive and deliberately paced
– as it draws to a close. In chapter 14, for instance, we
encounter extended interior monologues involving Miss
Claythorne and ex-Inspector Blore.
Why do you suppose the author begins to focus on her
characters in this way, and at this moment in the tale?
I think its the author's way of getting the reader more attached to these characters because it is almost the end of the book and they are going to be the next to die.
What do we learn from the private thoughts of these two
characters?
With vera's thoughts we know she purposely let the kid drown and pretended to swim out to him too late, but she has been overcome with guilt ever since.
Blore was going over the death's and trying to figure the whole thing out, and assuring himself he will not be next. At some point he thought of a person named Landor, possibly a family of the natives that he left to die.
How do their ideas and impressions in chapter 14 advance the
story?
Blore ends up hearing someone outside the room so he goes out to investigate and knocks on everyones door to check if they are there, which leads to the next series of events.
34. What happens to Dr. Armstrong? How and when does he
disappear?
Dr.Armstrong disappears during the night when Lombard and Blore went out to search for him. Blore heard something so he went out to investigate and he saw someone going out so instead of chasing after them he decides to check all the rooms to see who isn't there.
35. How is Mr. Blore murdered, and why do Miss Claythorne and
Mr. Lombard suspect that Dr. Armstrong is Mr. Blore’s killer?
Blore was crushed by the white bear shaped marble clock that fell from Vera's room.They thought that Armstrong was still alive so they instantly thought he was the killer.
36. When you reached the point where Miss Claythorne and Mr.
Lombard are the only two characters remaining, which one did
you think was the murderer? Or did you suspect someone else?
Use quotes from the novel to support your answer.
I think Vera is the murderer because the marble bear clock fell from her room so she had time to set it up and she also had time to set up the rope for suicide too. Before Vera killed Lombard with the pistol she insisted they carry the body back up to the mansion and that seems a bit absurd, even Lombard said:"To join the other victims I suppose?All neat and tidy." like he is insisting she is defiantly the killer and still trying to make her mad plans perfect.
37. Who kills Philip Lombard?
Vera Claythorne kills Lombard.
38. Who, ultimately, is responsible for the death of Vera
Claythorne?
Who ever set up that rope and chair all ready for her, because that was all that was needed to push her that one extra step to suicide. She was already overcome with guilt and going crazy after being on this island experiencing all this trauma.
EPILOGUE
39. Look again at the book’s Epilogue. Who are the detectives in
charge of solving these crimes?
The detectives solving in charge of solving this crime are Sir Thomas Legge and Inspector Maine.
Are they able to come up with any answers? Evaluate their
success, identifying the points on which they are correct and those
on which they are incorrect in their reconstruction of the events on
Indian Island.
They came up with a few answers such as Lombard pushed the marble bear clock , drugged and hanged Vera Claythorne and committed suicide, but the revolver had Vera's finger prints and it was all the way up in the house. So next they suspected Vera shooting Lombard, which they got right, then crushing Blore and lastly committing suicide. the only thing that did not add up there was that the chair was put up against the wall. They were mostly right with their guesses the only reason they could not figure it out completely is because they did not know that there was one more person left on the island than they expected.
40. Who is the murderer? How is his or her identity revealed?
The murderer is Justice Wargrave, his identity is revealed in the epilogue, where his confession in a bottle was written out.
41. Who is the mysterious Mr. Owen?
The mysterious Mr.Owen is Morris because Wargrave paid him and told him how to get everyone on to the island and organize it.
42. Were you satisfied with the novel’s conclusion? And were you
surprised by it?
Yes, i was, but not really surprised at the end none of the people really acted much like the killer so i always suspected there was another person still alive on the island with them. I just could not figure out who it was though.
43. Did you, as a reader and an armchair detective, find the ending
fully credible and plausible? Did the murderer’s “confession”
seem fitting and appropriate to you? Explain your answers.
Yes it makes complete sense now why there was never a gun shot the night Wargrave supposedly died. The only thing that seems a bit off is what if one of Wargraves murder attempts failed? I feel like all his murderers were carried out too perfectly, what if someone turned around when he was about to kill them, or if he missed with the marble bear? It just seems some of his ways of killing are not 100% success rate and pretty risky.
Define the term “red herring”.
44. And Then There Were None is generally seen as one of the
best mystery novels ever published. What are the clues in this
mystery? What are the red herrings?
Some clues include the fact that the police know that Wargrave's case is innocent and that Seton was actually guilty so they should know he is the only one with an actual innocent case among the people murdered. The the seventh verse of the rhyme talking about the person being swallowed by a red herring points to deception among them that cause the death. The last clue is how symbolically wargrave died, he was marked on the pistol shot which is the brand of cain.
To me, the red herring is the fact that Wargrave died so i never suspected him afterwards, though i did think that the fact there was no gun shot was a bit sketchy and how could he have died if Blore and Lombard and Armstrong all went upstairs
Him in killing him self left a lot of end untied and since he messed with some of the evidence afterwards like the chair, this makes it quite impossible to explain by people trying to figure it all out afterwards.
A comprehensive group of responses to these questions.
50/50